Break out of your meal prep rut! Salsa Verde Chicken Meal Prep is easy to make, flavorful, healthy, and filling. Store-bought, jarred salsa verde makes the prep for this recipe so simple. And don't forget about the cilantro lime rice that is the perfect pairing.
What You'll Need for this Recipe:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - You can substitute chicken breasts if you'd like.
- Salsa Verde - You can also use salsa verde in this Panera Turkey Chili recipe.
- Fresh Cilantro
- Limes - Juice and Zest
- White Rice
- Canned Black Beans
- Crumbled Queso Fresco, optional. Omit to make dairy-free
- Minced Garlic
- Spices: Ground Cumin, Salt and Pepper
Tips and FAQs!
What meal prep containers are those?
I am very particular about the containers I use for meal prep. I prefer glass for easy reheating and bento style with compartments to keep the different components separate.
These containers from Pyrex® called MealBox™ are a great solution. They check all the boxes! Dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and oven safe. Spacious compartments (2.1 cups and 1.3 cups in size) to hold generous servings. And the durable container has a tight-fitting lid to keep food fresh.
How long does the meal prep last?
The chicken meal prep can be stored in the airtight meal prep containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How long does the chicken need to marinate for?
The longer the better! At minimum, I recommend marinating for at least 30 minutes but it can even marinate in the fridge overnight. The longer, the more flavor.
What is Salsa Verde? Where can I buy it?
Salsa Verde differs from regular salsa because it is made from green tomatillos instead of red tomatoes. The tomatillos have a tangy, zesty flavor. It is typically mild in spice. You can find it at most grocery stores near the other jarred salsas.
What can I substitute for the white rice?
If you prefer, you can use brown rice or even quinoa to make the cilantro lime rice. Or cauliflower rice is a great substitute if you want more veggies!
Some other meal prep recipes that I love:
- Greek Chicken Meal Prep
- Korean Ground Beef Bowls
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Spicy Tomato Chickpeas with Quinoa
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PrintRecipe
Easy Salsa Verde Chicken Meal Prep
Salsa Verde Chicken Meal Prep is easy to make, flavorful, healthy, and filling. Store-bought, jarred salsa verde makes the prep for this recipe so simple. And don't forget about the cilantro lime rice that is the perfect pairing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Meal Prep, Chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Salsa Verde Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs. Cut into 1 inch chunks
- ¾ cup Salsa Verde
- ¼ cup finely chopped Fresh Cilantro
- 1 tablespoon Lime Zest, from 1 Lime
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 cup dry White Rice
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped Fresh Cilantro
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice, from 1-2 Limes
- 1 tablespoon Lime Zest, from 1 Lime
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
Other Bowl Ingredients
- 1 15oz can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
- 2-4oz crumbled Queso Fresco, optional
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro, optional for garnish
- Lime Wedges, optional
Instructions
Salsa Verde Chicken
- Marinate the chicken. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken thigh chunks with the marinade ingredients (except for the canola oil). Toss to combine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
- Cook the Chicken. Heat a large skillet with the canola oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and excess marinade. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked, golden brown, and the marinade has thickened. This should take about 10 minutes. If there are browned bits stuck to the skillet, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and scrape up. Remove from heat.
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cook the Rice. Cook the white rice according to package directions. When done, fluff with a fork and add to a bowl.
- Add Cilantro and Lime. To the cooked white rice, add the cilantro, lime juice and zest, and salt. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust salt, lime, and cilantro as desired.
Assemble Meal Prep
- Assemble. Divide the cilantro lime rice among the meal prep containers and top with the chicken. Divide the black beans among the containers and, if using, top with the crumbled queso fresco. Top with fresh cilantro and add a lime wedge.
- Store and Enjoy. Store assembled meal prep in the airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Meal Prep can be eaten cold or reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 568
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 1260.3 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 59.6 g
- Fiber: 9.3 g
- Protein: 46.4 g
- Cholesterol: 169.6 mg
Thank you to Pyrex® for sponsoring this post! I only feature brands & products that I love & use in my own home. All opinions are always my own!
Katie says
This salsa verde chicken was so good and flavorful